The girl bowed slightly again 🙇♀️, hands still neatly folded 🤍.
"My name is Lily," she said softly 😊, then hesitated 😬.
"…But sir calls me Potato."
The universe paused 🌍⏸️.
Maya's head snapped toward Laddu 😳.
"Potato."
Cousin lost it immediately 🤣.
"WHY Potato?!"
Candy giggled 🤭.
"She's cute like potato?"
Father looked genuinely confused 🤔.
"Is that a compliment?"
Mother slowly turned her head toward Laddu 🐢➡️👀.
Very. Slowly.
Mochi blinked once 😐.
"…Potato?"
Laddu raised both hands like a man surrendering to fate ✋✋.
"It's professional," he said quickly 😅.
"Explain," Mochi replied.
Lily rushed in, panicking 😰.
"No no! It's not bad! Sir says I panic-roll under pressure, like a potato rolling downhill!"
Maya wheezed 🤣.
"That's worse."
Laddu nodded seriously 🧐.
"Exactly. Tactical potato."
Candy clapped 👏.
"I like Potato Lily!"
Mother sighed, amused 😊.
"Children these days name humans like vegetables."
Mochi looked at Lily again 👀.
The bandaged hand 🤕.
The nervous smile 😟.
The respect 🙏.
Then she looked at Laddu.
"You nickname your assistant," she said calmly 😐,
"but you ask me before kissing."
Laddu smiled, proud 😌.
"Different departments."
Maya threw a cushion 🛋️💥.
Lily laughed awkwardly 😅, then looked at Mochi with relief.
"Ma'am, he's very kind. Just… strange."
Mochi nodded.
"Yes," she said. "We know."
Laddu leaned back, satisfied 😎.
"Welcome home, Potato."
Lily smiled 🥺.
"…Thank you, sir."
The house accepted one more member 🏠❤️.
Even if she came with a nickname 🥔.
Lily carefully opened her bag 🎒.
Pulled out a thick folder 📂.
Then another 📁.
Then another 📚.
She placed them neatly on the table, one by one.
"…These are today's files," she said softly.
Laddu leaned forward, curious 🤨.
"How many?"
Lily hesitated 😬.
"…Thirty-three."
Silence 😶.
Laddu stared at the stack 👁️📚.
Then leaned back.
"…Damn it," he muttered 😩.
"That aunty did it again."
Lily's eyes went wide 😱.
"No no no!" she waved her good hand frantically ✋.
"Please don't call Boss Jin aunty!"
Laddu blinked 🤔.
"Why?"
"If she hears that," Lily whispered urgently 😵,
"she will personally increase your workload."
Maya burst out laughing 🤣.
"Corporate horror!"
Father nodded wisely 🧐.
"Classic."
Laddu crossed his arms, thinking 🤨.
Then his face lit up 💡😈.
"Okay," he said calmly.
"Lie that Mochi calls her aunty."
The room froze ❄️.
Mochi slowly turned toward him 😐➡️🔥.
"…What?"
Lily panicked 😰.
"I cannot lie—"
Laddu peeked through his fingers at Mochi 👀✋, full of awe.
"…You're dangerous."
"Finish your work," Mochi said coolly ❄️.
"And don't call her aunty again."
Laddu nodded immediately 🙇♂️.
"Yes, boss."
Lily hesitated, then asked politely 🙂.
"Sir… where should I do the work?"
Laddu looked around the house like it was obvious 🏠.
"Here, of course."
She blinked 😳.
"…Here?"
"Yes," he said, pointing casually 👉.
"You stand there."
Pause ⏸️.
"…Stand?" Lily repeated.
Laddu nodded seriously 🧍♂️.
"Standing improves focus."
Maya muttered 🤦♀️.
"This is workplace harassment but with confidence."
Mochi shot Laddu a look 👀⚠️.
He ignored it.
"First," Laddu continued 📋,
"sort files from most important to least."
Lily nodded quickly 📝.
"Yes sir."
"Then," he added,
"write main problem in one line. No drama. No poetry."
Candy leaned over 😆.
"Can I help?"
"No," Laddu said gently 🤍.
"This is adult suffering."
Lily adjusted her grip 🤕.
"Yes sir. After that?"
"Then," Laddu said, finally sitting properly 🪑,
"you bring them to me. I decide solutions."
Mochi crossed her arms 😑.
"You're not even pretending to work."
Laddu smiled 😁.
"I am delegating. Advanced technique."
Mother nodded from the kitchen 🍳.
"Chaotic, but clear."
Father agreed 👓.
"Good leader. Bad human."
Mochi sighed 😮💨.
"…At least sit straight."
Laddu obeyed instantly 🧍♂️.
"Yes, ma'am."
Work began 📂✍️.
Papers shuffled.
Pens moved.
Lily focused, lips moving silently.
"This one urgent," she said. "Deadline today."
Laddu leaned back 😌.
"Urgent files always arrive with confidence issues."
Lily smiled 😊.
"Client wants faster delivery without budget increase," she read.
Laddu nodded.
"They want biryani at rice price 🍚➡️🍛."
She laughed 🤭.
"Server instability," she read.
"Old code refusing retirement," Laddu sighed. "Replace elders."
She giggled.
Mochi watched from the doorway 👀.
Not angry.
Not jealous.
Observing.
Laddu's jokes softened.
Focus sharpened 🎯.
Mochi spoke calmly.
"Work going well?"
"Yes, ma'am," Lily replied quickly 🙇♀️.
"Finish before lunch," Mochi said.
"Yes," Laddu replied obediently.
As she walked away 🚶♀️, Laddu whispered to Lily 😏,
"Boss of bosses."
Work continued.
Trust built.
Chaos balanced ⚖️.
Then Lily asked casually 😐,
"Sir… what happened to Club 12?"
The air snapped ⚡.
Laddu stood up so fast the chair screamed 😱.
"Don't talk here," he said sharply. Too fast.
Too late.
"…Club 12?" Mochi repeated calmly 😐.
Laddu ran 🏃♂️💨.
Door slam 🚪💥.
Silence 😶.
Everyone turned to Lily 👀.
"…You don't know?" she whispered 😬.
Maya shouted 😱.
"TWELVE?!"
Father sighed 😮💨.
"I knew it."
Candy gasped 🤯.
"He collected them?!"
Mochi walked to the hallway 🚶♀️.
Very calm.
"Laddu," she called softly.
"Come out."
"…I can explain," he whimpered from inside 😭.
Mother smiled peacefully 😊.
"He's dead."
Candy nodded 👍.
"Very dead."
Mochi knocked once 🚪.
"Club 12 has a meeting today," she said calmly.
Door opened slightly 😰.
"…With snacks?" Laddu asked weakly.
Mochi smiled 😌🔥.
"Yes. And explanations."
The family leaned back, satisfied 😎.
Workday officially over. ☑️